Soccer-England start Hodgson era with Norway win

OSLO, May 26 (Reuters) - England launched the Roy Hodgsonera with a solid 1-0 victory in Norway on Saturday as the newcoach assessed some of the players who will serve him at Euro2012 next month.

Hodgson, appointed on May 1 with little time to prepare forthe tournament, watched on as Ashley Young's well-taken earlygoal proved enough to secure victory against a willing, butlimited Norway side.

Manchester United's Young struck after nine minutes,displaying a silky touch to embarrass defender Brede Hangerlandbefore finding the corner of the net with a low shot.

A low-key contest, with England missing their Chelseacontingent, fizzled out as a spectacle with Norway's bestattempt an inswinging corner from Morten Gamst Pedersen thatstruck England keeper Robert Green's near post.

Hodgson gave a debut to Arsenal teenager AlexOxlade-Chamberlain as a second-half substitute after midfielderGareth Barry limped off with a groin strain.

England's final warm-up match is against Belgium onWednesday at Wembley.